306 A PIGEON HUNT ON THE OHIO. 



Their great "roosts" and breeding-places are favorite 

 resorts for numerous birds of prey. The small vultures 

 (cathartes aura and atratus,) or as they are called in the 

 west, "turkey buzzard," and "carrion crow," do not 

 confine themselves to carrion alone. They are fond of 

 live " squabs," which they drag out of their nests at 

 pleasure. Numerous hawks and kites prey upon them ; 

 and even the great white-headed eagle (falco leucocepha- 

 lus) may be seen soaring and occasionally sweeping down 

 for a dainty morsel. On the ground beneath move ene- 

 mies of a different kind, both biped and quadruped. 

 Fowlers with their guns and long poles ; farmers with 

 wagons to carry off the dead birds ; and even droves of 

 hogs to devour them. Trees fall under the axe, and huge 

 branches break down by the weight of the birds them- 

 selves, killing numbers in their descent. Torches are 

 used for it is usually a night scene, after the return of 

 the birds from feeding pots of burning sulphur, and 

 other engines of destruction. A noisy scene it is. The 

 clapping of a 'million pair of wings, like the roaring of 

 thunder ; the shouts ; men hoarsely calling to each 

 'other; women and children screaming their delight; the 

 barking of dogs; the neighing of horses; the "crash" 

 of breaking branches ; and the " chuck" of the woodman's 

 axe, all mingled together. 



When the men saturated with' slaughter, and white 



